US President Joe Biden said Elon Musk’s relationship with foreign countries “worth scrutiny”.
Biden was asked whether Musk represented a threat to US national security, and whether it should be investigated whether Saudi Arabia helped Musk buy Twitter?
Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal invested $1.89 billion worth of shares he owns in Twitter for Musk’s acquisition of the company.
The Saudi move attracted the attention of a Democratic senator, who called for an investigation into the matter.
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At a press conference held at the White House on Wednesday, one of the journalists asked Biden, in which he said: “Do you think that Elon Musk is a threat to American national security, and that the United States, through the powers of your hand, should investigate his acquisition of Twitter in partnership with governments?” A foreigner, including Saudi Arabia?
For his part, Biden responded that “Elon Musk’s cooperation and/or technical relations with other countries are worth considering.”
Biden added: “Is (Musk) doing anything inappropriate or not? – That’s not what I mean. I mean it’s worth looking at. That’s all I’m saying.”
Elon Musk: Why was the billionaire so eager to buy the social platform?
Twitter: “Worried in Washington about Saudi investment in the social media platform” – The Guardian
Musk completed a $44 billion acquisition of Twitter last month, ending a long legal battle. The acquisition was funded by Musk and a group of other investors.
Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal and Kingdom Holding Company are the second largest investors in the current Twitter, according to a file held by the US Financial Supervisory Authority.
Earlier this month, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy called for an immediate investigation into the Saudi stake in Twitter’s impact on US national security.
Murphy chairs a congressional subcommittee on foreign relations.
“Given the important role that Twitter plays as a public communication platform, I am concerned about the potential influence of the Government of Saudi Arabia” in this regard, Murphy said.
Previously, Elon Musk had given his opinion on very serious issues related to Ukraine and Taiwan.
Last month, Musk denied a report that he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin, before Musk posted a Twitter poll about his proposals to end the war with Ukraine.
Ian Bremer, president of political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said Musk spoke to him personally about the conversation with Putin.
On Twitter, Musk tweeted: “I only spoke to Putin once, and that was about 18 months ago. The topic was space.”
Musk also gives his views on the issue of China’s relationship with Taiwan.
In an interview with the Financial Times, the Tesla CEO said that Taiwan should become a special administrative region for China.
In turn, the Chinese ambassador to the United States praised Musk’s remarks. On the other hand, the Taiwanese ambassador to the United States said that freedom “is not for sale.” Taiwan is self-governing, but Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan.
